January is often a challenging month, with post-holiday blues, cold weather, and dark evenings leaving many feeling stressed, leading to a dramatic 600% increase in Google searches for “The January Blues” in the last two weeks. While there are countless ways to de-stress, why not unwind with a cozy video game?

Interested in this, the experts analyzed gaming data to bring you the best cozy video games perfect for reducing stress. Alongside this, they’ve partnered with a psychologist to provide expert insights into how video games can positively impact stress and mental well-being.

Top 5 best video games for reducing stress

1. Stardew Valley – Cozy Score 9.4/10

Topping the list as the absolute best video game to help reduce stress is Stardew Valley, with a cozy score of 9.4/10. A country-life RPG game, Stardew Valley holds the highest SteamDB rating (a whopping 98%) out of all analyzed games, as well as the highest IGN rating (9/10). Furthermore, it’s also the video game with the second highest Metascore (89/100), coming right after Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Cozy Score 9.2/10

Following closely behind, Animal Crossing: New Horizons secures the second spot, achieving a cozy score of 9.2/10. The game not only has the highest Metascore (90/100) out of all the others in the study but also the third highest IGN rating (8.5/10), preceded only by Disney Dreamlight Valley and Stardew Valley. Released in 2020, it is the fifth game in the Animal Crossing series.

3. A Short Hike – Cozy Score 8.8/10

In third place, with a cozy score of 8.8/10, is the adventure video game A Short Hike. It landed the second highest SteamDB rating (97%) out of all games analyzed, right after Stardew Valley. With an equally impressive Metascore (88/100) and IGN rating (8.2/10), A Short Hike is a great choice for a relaxing night at home.

4. Lil Gator Game – Cozy Score 8.2/10

Securing a cozy score of 8.2/10, Lil Gator Game comes fourth in the ranking. This adventure video game holds the third highest SteamDB rating (95%) out of all games in the study, finishing after A Short Hike and Stardew Valley. Only two years old, the game has achieved great scores, with an IGN rating of 8.2/10 and a Metascore of 84/100.

5. Strange Horticulture – Cozy Score 7.9/10

And rounding off the top five with a cozy score of 7.9/10 is Strange Horticulture. Perfect for a cold night in, the puzzle game boasts a SteamDB rating of 92%, along with a Metascore of 83/100. Same as Lil Gator Game, Strange Horticulture was released only two years ago and has already attained some impressive rating scores.

Dr. Kayleigh Sumner, educational psychologist, provides insights on the positive effects that video games can have on your mental wellbeing: “Some video games have the potential to help people feel calmer, particularly puzzle-like games. This is because people can enter a state of ‘flow’ when playing a game. This means that players become fully absorbed in the game, which acts as a form of escapism and can help people feel like they have a sense of control.”

“Entering a state of flow allows players to forget about the outside world, reducing stress. Games often include social aspects with multiplayers, which can increase a person’s sense of belonging. Feeling connected to others is a protective factor for handling stress. Games also help some people to feel a sense of achievement when completing tasks or levels, which can support people’s feelings of competence and success.“

“While video games hold potential to reduce stress, it’s important to note that this can vary based on individuals and across different contexts. Understanding a player’s motivations and personality can help tailor gaming recommendations for stress relief. As with anything, gaming should be done in moderation. Excessive gaming can lead to burnout. Balancing gaming in moderation alongside other coping strategies and activities is crucial for maintaining overall mental health and managing stress.”

Rank	Video Game	Metascore (/100)	IGN Reviews Rating (/10)	SteamDB Reviews Rating (%)	Cozy Score (/10)
1	Stardew Valley	89	9	98%	9.4
2	Animal Crossing: New Horizons	90	8.5	–	9.2
3	A Short Hike	88	8.2	97%	8.8
4	Lil Gator Game	84	8.2	95%	8.2
5	Strange Horticulture	83	8	92%	7.9
6	Night in the Woods	88	8.2	92%	7.8
7	Dorfromantik	84	7.6	94%	7.6
8	Coral Island	82	8.2	86%	6.7
9	Unpacking	83	7.8	91%	6.5
10	Mario Party Superstars	80	7.9	–	6.4

Top 10 best video games for reducing stress